Works slightly different than planned

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Rapid Release and Mr. Foricos Two U both had their final tune-ups for the Queen's Plate here at Woodbine on Wednesday, turning in solid moves over the Polytrack surface.

The $1 million Queen's Plate, a 1 1/4-mile race for Canadian-bred 3-year-olds, will be run here Sunday. The draw was to be held Thursday and a field of 14 was expected.

Rapid Release, trained by Roger Attfield and with regular rider Jono Jones in the irons, breezed five furlongs in 1:00.20, the fastest of 19 workouts at the distance.

Mr. Foricos Two U, trained by Catherine Day Phillips, had exercise rider Candace Bowyer aboard when he worked four furlongs in 48.20 seconds.

Rapid Release, coming off a third-place finish in the Plate Trial, wound up with some unexpected company for his workout.

"He went well, but it was a mess-up," said Attfield. "I don't think he worked too fast, but I didn't want him to do as much as he did.

"He picked up another horse, and I didn't want him to. The other person knew we were working him."

The clockers caught Rapid Release galloping out six furlongs in 1:14.

Mr. Foricos Two U is coming off a sharp score in his first try around two turns, which came in a 1 1/16-mile first-level allowance here May 27.

Day Phillips said her Wednesday workout also did not go according to plan.

"He was supposed to have a workmate to keep an eye on, but the other horse got too far away, so basically he worked by himself," said Day Phillips. "Still, I was really, really happy. I wanted him to start off slow. He did, going his first eighth in 13.20. He picked it up nicely, and kicked in down the lane."

Mike Smith has been recruited to ride Mr. Foricos Two U in the Queen's Plate.

Mr. Foricos Two U, fourth in his only start at 2, will be making his fifth lifetime appearance.

After wintering on the Day Phillips farm in Florida, Mr. Foricos Two U returned to Woodbine with an eye on the Queen's Plate.

"He had enough speed that he could be competitive going five furlongs, and it was important to give him the opportunity to get some more experience," said Day Phillips, who sent out Mr. Foricos Two U to miss by a head at that distance in his seasonal bow.

A maiden win at seven furlongs preceded his stretch-out success in which Mr. Foricos Two U rallied from well back and overcame traffic to win going away.